$45,000 in grants available for tourism promotion; first application deadline is Wednesday

PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau is offering $45,000 in grant funding to qualified programs focused on promoting tourism.

The first round of grant applications for the 2017 Tourism Enhancement Grants program are due Wednesday for consideration at the February board meeting.

Future grant application deadlines are April 1, Sept. 1 and Nov. 1.

In 2016, 15 grants were awarded. They supported tourism collateral production, promotion of area festivals and events, and website development.

“Tourism is the front door to economic development,” said Marsha Massey, executive director of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau.

“Our overnight visitors contribute strongly to our local economy, not only to lodging establishments but also to restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, retail shops, outfitters and attractions.

“We are eager to work with stakeholders to create new possibilities to promote Clallam County and the Olympic Peninsula, particularly in our shoulder seasons of spring and autumn.”

Funds for the program are derived from revenue generated by the hotel/motel tax on lodging facilities in unincorporated Clallam County.

Lodging tax revenue is designated for the promotion of tourism to encourage long-term economic growth through tourism-related projects or events that attract overnight guests to the destination.

Grant applications will be reviewed at the February, April, September and November board meetings, as long as funds are available.

Applications must be submitted for consideration by the first day of the month prior to the scheduled review meeting.

Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.olympic peninsula.org/page/tourism-grants.

For more information, call Massey at 360-452-8552.

More in News

A lab mix waits in the rain for the start of the 90th Rhody Festival Pet Parade in Uptown Port Townsend on Thursday. The festival’s main parade, from Uptown to downtown, is scheduled for 1 p.m. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Pet parade

A lab mix waits in the rain for the start of the… Continue reading

Casandra Bruner.
Neah Bay hires new chief of police

Bruner is first woman for top public safety role

Port Townsend publisher prints sci-fi writer’s work

Winter Texts’ sixth poetry collection of Ursula K. Le Guin

Time bank concept comes to Peninsula

Members can trade hours of skills in two counties

Peninsula Home Fund grants open for applications

Nonprofits can apply online until May 31

Honors symposium set for Monday at Peninsula College

The public is invited to the Peninsula College Honors… Continue reading

Bliss Morris of Chimacum, a float builder and driver of the Rhody float, sits in the driver’s seat on Thursday as he checks out sight lines in the 60-foot float he will be piloting in the streets of Port Townsend during the upcoming 90th Rhody Parade on Saturday. Rhody volunteer Mike Ridgway of Port Townsend looks on. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Final touches

Bliss Morris of Chimacum, a float builder and driver of the Rhody… Continue reading

Fireworks not likely for Port Angeles on Fourth

Development at port bars launch from land

Jefferson County, YMCA partner with volunteers to build skate park

Agencies could break ground this summer in Quilcene

Peninsula Behavioral Health is bracing for Medicaid cuts

CEO: Program funds 85 percent of costs

Port of Port Angeles is seeking grant dollars for airport

Funding would support hangars, taxiway repair